“It’s totally okay! Let me get the door and then I’ll help you clean up.”
“No, it’s totally fine. I got this! The tarp on the floor can just be rolled up. I have tons more.”
I was going for the door, but I knew whoever was there either had spoken to a solider beforehand or was someone the soldiers knew—like one of my soon to be in-laws. Matteo was out back building his workout area with his brothers and Saverio. He knew beforehand who was coming too. He didn’t always tell me. I didn’t ask why. I assumed it was because he thought I’d like a surprise now and then.
Two soldiers were close to the front door but seemed to melt into the shadows when I grew closer. Just as I expected, they allowed me to open the door because it was people they knew were coming: Scarlett and Mia. I hugged them both and welcomed them in, which was kind of odd. I had a place to welcome people to!
A giddy smile came to my face, and Scarlett and Mia returned it.
“It stills hits me sometimes,” Scarlett said, handing me a loaf of fresh bread she’d probably just baked. It was still warm and wrapped in a pretty cloth. “I have a house in Tuscany.”
I lifted the bread to my nose and inhaled. “Smells so good! Thank you!”
“Ohh, can we cut it up and share it?” Mia rubbed her belly. “I’m starving after that walk.”
Scarlett and I looked at each other and laughed. Mia did, too, a moment later. Halfway to the kitchen, Mia took the loaf from me and offered to do the cutting. Scarlett and I were just passing the room where Chloe was painting when Scarlett reached out and grabbed my hand.
“She’s going to make a decision that Massimo isn’t going to accept,” she whispered. “Rosaria has gotten inside of her head and is haunting her.”
“Chloe told you something?” I whispered back, but then I realized that no one had to tell Scarlett anything. If she zoned in on a person, no words were needed for her to know his or her intentions.
She shook her head. “No.”
I pulled her down the hallway some, not wanting Chloe to think we were talking about her if she happened to look behind her. Which we were, but not in a mean way. I could tell most of the family wanted what was best for Chloe and Massimo. But something had been on my mind.
“That’s why Matteo didn’t marry Chloe. She’s easily…haunted.”
Scarlett stared at me for a second before she answered. “He didn’t marry Chloe because she’s not you,bebe.” She touched my chin. “But yes, Matteo was concerned that Chloe would find this life, this family, hard to be in. She’s an artist, and she’s prone to high highs and low lows. This life isn’t exactly conducive to a stable well-being, no matter how much the men in this family want to protect. The men in this family are shields, and are as tough as metal, but even the toughest armor can get dented from time to time.”
I looked away from her, trying to gain the courage to ask her a question that felt like it was burning me from the inside. I cleared my throat and then looked her in the eye. “Am I strong enough for this family?”
“You tell me,bebe.”
I thought about it for a second. Felt the love I had for Matteo move through me like warm water, and no matter what was thrown at us, how the thought of that warmth would always make me strong enough to stay. “Yes,” I said, realizing I had stood taller and raised my chin when I’d answered.
She hugged me and then squeezed my shoulders. “Are you ready?”
I was getting married the day after tomorrow. Was I ready? My bags were packed and waiting by the door, since I’d be spending two nights over at Brando and Scarlett’s place. The church on their property was ready, and the entire villa was being transformed as we stood there.
My life was being transformed as we stood there.
“Yes,” I whispered. “I’ve been ready for this since the stars have been in the sky.”
Chapter 29
Stella
It was hard to look away from Brando Fausti when he grinned.
Let me rephrase that, because the sentence felt like a lie.
It was hard to look away from Brando Fausti.
Period.
He had this intensity about him that Matteo had inherited, along with his perfect bone structure and fine build, along with a scent that no cologne could emulate. Even though Romeo claimed to have the best hair, and it seemed like he would die on that hill, they all had insanely gorgeous locks, along with eye lashes any women would pay top dollar for. They all had an olive tint to their skin, and it seemed naturally kissed by the sun, some more or less than others. Eye color varied, but what was the most interesting was even the darkest of irises stood out.
Brando Fausti, like Nonno, had aged like fine wine, and he was legendary. Maybe it was because of his looks and the way he carried himself. Confident in every step he took.
